Making the Case for Trails in Tight Economic Times

On September 22, American Trails held a webinar on “Making the Case for Trails in Tight Economic Times.” It highlighted sound ideas and hard numbers to illustrate the contribution of trails to the prosperity of communities. Attendees learned about some recent studies and enjoyed an overview of state and national trends and statistics.

Let’s keep the dialogue going ~ What are your challenges? How have you been successful in “selling” the economic benefits of trails? How is your community addressing budget cuts – are trails at the top of the “chopping block?” Are there bold public officials standing up for trails, and if so, what are they saying about their benefits? Let us know about your success stories. Are there studies you would like to share with others? Do you have questions? How about answers?

One idea you might want to branch this discussion into is the idea of access to the trails by alternative means. Transit, biking and walking access to the trail head is going to be of growing concern. And it will have additional economic impact on the communities surrounding the trail – a positive benefit. For more information, see Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks, a cooperative program between federal land agencies – http://www.triptac.org

Dear Fellow Trail Lovers,
My name is Terri McIlravy from Sharps Chapel, TN and am involved in helping promote establishment of a multi-use trail system in our modest but growing community. Among the many reasons for our endeavor is the preservation of what now exists. Growth is welcome and we ‘aim’ to have it enhance our community rather than divide and destroy it.
The local population consists of hard working people whom it seems as though time has forgotten. Their land and the marks their heritage has left upon it are precious. Retiring baby boomers, people looing for a milder climate and lower tax living are migrating to this Lake surrounded lower Appalachian area. It is our feeling that development anround a multi use trail system will not only usher in like-minded people but will open up economic opportunity for many who have never had such a chance right in their own back yards.
I chose to email you because i saw a similar effort in your area or as a part of your organization and thought you may take time to help.
Have any contacts, pictures, data from those who may have a testimonial of the positive impact the trail and land use system has had for them or those your know.
What does the trail system mean to you personally?
Does the trail system help your community in a positive way? If so how?
Can you report on any specific fitness, business or community enhancement from having a community joined by a non-motorized network of trails?
Please pass on our contact informatin to those who can bear testimony of benefits to a community connected to the habitat around them and one another by a green way, multi-use trail system! Have them contact terrimcilravy@yahoo.com THANKS

Dear Trail Enthusiasts;
Our city is interested in collecting data on the trail users; local or tourists and where they are coming from?

We understand we can pay people to collect data at set times and take a sampling. I am interested in seeing if any one has tried anything different to collect data, out of the box thinking is apprecaited.

About Us

American Trails strives to enrich the quality of life for all people and the sustainable development of communities by advancing and promoting the development, preservation, and enjoyment of diverse, high quality trails and greenways. Learn more at www.AmericanTrails.org.